<p>A quick survey across the various multinational sports goods retailers dotting the Brigade Road found them a hive of activity reporting a heavy rush of footfalls with buyers milling various counters to pick up the football merchandise. Not to be outdone, vying with the biggies in business with iconic brand stores like Nike, Adidas, Puma, Reebok even road-side vendors were seen making a kill selling jersies and other football merchandise.<br /> <br />Being official sponsors of many teams in play, the branded stores were awash with stocks of the respective teams wear gears. Puma is official sponsor for Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and winners of last edition — Italy. Nike is sponsoring nine teams including eternal favourites Brazil, Portugal and Netherlands. Adidas is sponsor for Spain, Argentina, Germany, France and hosts South Africa.<br /><br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, Adidas’ Sundeep Kothari said: “We’ve sold merchandise worth over Rs 1 lakh in the last one month and our business in general has gone up by 15 per cent to 20 per cent.” <br /><br />The jersies at Adidas are priced at a princely Rs 2,999, while tee shirts and caps come in the range of Rs 899-Rs 1,190 and Rs 699-Rs 799 respectively. The highlight at the store is the F-50 football studds sported by mercurial Argentinian striker Lionel Messi. Given that they command a royal sum of Rs 7,999 each, the store has sold just two pairs.<br />Likewise, sales at Nike store swelled with most demanded merchandise being that of Brazil. Sales staff at the store said they have sold about 60-70 jersies, 30 odd caps, and sales of studds up by about 30 per cent. Nike caps and tee shirts cost Rs 695 and range between Rs 995-Rs 1095 respectively, jersies are priced Rs 2,795. Puma store, has seen business worth over Rs 50,000. <br /><br />Local jersies hawked at kerbs have more takers given they are cheaper ranging between Rs 160-Rs 250. These are generally made in Chennai. <br /><br />Well, with the young bravehearts liberal with their wallets and venerating their field icons businessmen are not complaining but crooning Viva la football. Viva la Africa<br /></p>
<p>A quick survey across the various multinational sports goods retailers dotting the Brigade Road found them a hive of activity reporting a heavy rush of footfalls with buyers milling various counters to pick up the football merchandise. Not to be outdone, vying with the biggies in business with iconic brand stores like Nike, Adidas, Puma, Reebok even road-side vendors were seen making a kill selling jersies and other football merchandise.<br /> <br />Being official sponsors of many teams in play, the branded stores were awash with stocks of the respective teams wear gears. Puma is official sponsor for Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and winners of last edition — Italy. Nike is sponsoring nine teams including eternal favourites Brazil, Portugal and Netherlands. Adidas is sponsor for Spain, Argentina, Germany, France and hosts South Africa.<br /><br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, Adidas’ Sundeep Kothari said: “We’ve sold merchandise worth over Rs 1 lakh in the last one month and our business in general has gone up by 15 per cent to 20 per cent.” <br /><br />The jersies at Adidas are priced at a princely Rs 2,999, while tee shirts and caps come in the range of Rs 899-Rs 1,190 and Rs 699-Rs 799 respectively. The highlight at the store is the F-50 football studds sported by mercurial Argentinian striker Lionel Messi. Given that they command a royal sum of Rs 7,999 each, the store has sold just two pairs.<br />Likewise, sales at Nike store swelled with most demanded merchandise being that of Brazil. Sales staff at the store said they have sold about 60-70 jersies, 30 odd caps, and sales of studds up by about 30 per cent. Nike caps and tee shirts cost Rs 695 and range between Rs 995-Rs 1095 respectively, jersies are priced Rs 2,795. Puma store, has seen business worth over Rs 50,000. <br /><br />Local jersies hawked at kerbs have more takers given they are cheaper ranging between Rs 160-Rs 250. These are generally made in Chennai. <br /><br />Well, with the young bravehearts liberal with their wallets and venerating their field icons businessmen are not complaining but crooning Viva la football. Viva la Africa<br /></p>
